Meds stopped working-does this happen often?

[strawberry]

Hi all
Sorry to post yet another message on here but I dont know who else to ask about this.
My meds seem to have completely stopped doing anything at all - does this happen to other people?
To start with the asacol suppositories I was precribed seemed to be working and I thought great! I had just about forgotten what normal was supposed to be like. However, even though i have been taking them properly and keeping them in they seem to have completley stopped working and also I now have black mucus. I have been taking them for 8 weeks and I think they started to lose their effect about 3 weeks ago. I called my GP who said they would ask consultant if this was OK or if I should be seen sooner (still haven't seen the gastro consultant at all yet - appointment end August) - haven't heard anything back so my guess is that I'm to wait.
My symptoms are really mild compared to other people on here and I can cope with my symptoms pretty much. I'm just a bit worried that the meds seem to be having no effect anymore and I now have this black mucus!
GP did mention that could try pred enemas but I'm scared of the effects of steroids so would rather see the consultant first to see what he says - has anyone had any side effects with the pred enemas.
Thank-you

[pinkle82]

Hello, firstly, dont panic, the black mucus can be a result of the suppositories, I used to get it almost daily when i was on pentasa suppositories, its a sort of translucent black, a bit like watery treacle?

Also if the GP is suggesting steroid foam enemas, they may help in the mean time, until you see the consultant, the foam isn't like taking oral steriods, it foam works at the site of the inflammation in the colon and hardly anything is absorbed by the rest of your body. I used predfoam for a long time and had no side effects, its just a bit fiddly to get the hang of!

Im sorry your meds arent working- you could just be flaring up a little more, but try not to panic- you did the right thing getting in touch with your GP, it may be that the suppositories are just not reaching the bits they need to, in which case its very possible that the consultant will suggest the enemas as a next step.

Hope it all goes well!
xx

[strawberry]

[quote="pinkle82"]Hello, firstly, dont panic, the black mucus can be a result of the suppositories, I used to get it almost daily when i was on pentasa suppositories, its a sort of translucent black, a bit like watery treacle?

Thanks - I specifically asked GP if black mucus was a side effect of asacol and they said it wasn't a side effect - it must be blood. Am very pleased that it can in fact be from the suppositories!